* [[Komodo National Park]] &mdash; home of the Komodo dragon, a very rich marine fauna, magnificent remote landscapes and much more

−

* [[Komodo National Park]] &mdash; home of the Komodo dragon

+

* [[Mount Tambora]] &mdash; a seldom visited volcano in the remotest area of [[Sumbawa]]

−

* [[Mount Tambora]] - a seldom visited volcano in the remotest area of [[Sumbawa]]

+

* [[Mount Rinjani]] &mdash; popular with volcano climbers and visitors to [[Lombok]]

−

* [[Mount Rinjani]] - popular with volcano climbers and visitors to [[Lombok]]

+

* [[Moyo]] &mdash; national marine park with superb diving and home to a remarkable Aman resort

==Understand==

==Understand==

−

Nusa Tenggara is one of the least developed and least visited parts of Indonesia. While the islands of [[Lombok]] and [[Sumbawa]] are solidly Muslim, the vast majority (90%) of the rest is Christian, with a smattering of animist belief. Partly thanks to this clean division, Nusa Tenggara has been largely spared the religious conflicts of nearby [[Sulawesi]] and [[Maluku]].

+

+

Nusa Tenggara is one of the least developed and least visited parts of Indonesia. While the islands of [[Lombok]] and [[Sumbawa]] have a majority of Muslim inhabitants, the vast majority (90%) of the rest is Christian, with a strong Hindu presence on Bali and a good number of remnant aspects of animist belief. Nusa Tenggara has been largely spared the religious conflicts of nearby [[Sulawesi]] and [[Maluku]].

==Talk==

==Talk==

+

+

[[Indonesian phrasebook|Bahasa Indonesia]] is spoken throughout the region, along with a host of regional languages. English is understood in some of the larger towns and cities, in particular those with significant tourist infrastructure. Outside of those places, do not expect English to be either spoken or understood.

==Get in==

==Get in==

+

Being a vast archipelago, the main means of transport are by plane and by ship.

Being a vast archipelago, the main means of transport are by plane and by ship.

===By plane===

===By plane===

−

The main airports, with frequent flights from the Javanese mainland and [[Denpasar]] (Bali), are [[Mataram]] (Lombok), [[Maumere]] (Flores) and [[Kupang]] (West Timor). The only direct international connection from anywhere outside Indonesia directly to the islands is on SilkAir from Singapore a few times a week to Mataram.

−

A few flights a week also go from Denpasar, Bali to both [[Waingapu]], Sumba (eastern part of the island) and [[Waikabubak]] (western part, near where the Pasolas are held annually).

+

The main airports, with frequent flights from Java and [[Denpasar]] (Bali), are [[Lombok]], [[Maumere]] (Flores) and [[Kupang]] (West Timor). A few flights a week also go from Denpasar, Bali to both [[Waingapu]], Sumba (eastern part of the island) and [[Waikabubak]] (western part, near where the Pasolas are held annually).

+

+

The only direct international connection from anywhere outside Indonesia directly to the islands is on SilkAir from [[Singapore]] 3 times a week to Lombok's International Airport, (''Bandara Internasional Lombok''), (BIL), ({{IATA|LOP}}, {{ICAO|WADL}}) in central southern Lombok near the city of Praya.

===By boat===

===By boat===

+

There are frequent ferry services from [[Bali]] to [[Lombok]]. Connections between Nusa Tenggara and Indonesia's other islands, though, are limited to the occasional PELNI ferry sailing between [[Makassar]] (South Sulawesi) to [[Flores]] and, if you ''really'' want to get away from it all, from various ports in [[Papua]] via [[Tual]] and [[Saumlaki]], [[Maluku]] to [[Kalabahi]], [[Alor]] and onward to Flores.

There are frequent ferry services from [[Bali]] to [[Lombok]]. Connections between Nusa Tenggara and Indonesia's other islands, though, are limited to the occasional PELNI ferry sailing between [[Makassar]] (South Sulawesi) to [[Flores]] and, if you ''really'' want to get away from it all, from various ports in [[Papua]] via [[Tual]] and [[Saumlaki]], [[Maluku]] to [[Kalabahi]], [[Alor]] and onward to Flores.

==Get around==

==Get around==

+

+

===By plane===

+

+

The major regional carrier is Merpati Nusantara Airlines [http://www.merpati.co.id/]. TranNusa Air Services [http://www.transnusa.co.id/] offers a number of short distance inter-island flights.

+

+

===By bus and ferry===

From Bali in the west to Timor in the east, the classic island-hopping backpacker trail across Nusa Tenggara runs something like this:

From Bali in the west to Timor in the east, the classic island-hopping backpacker trail across Nusa Tenggara runs something like this:

* Ferry from [[Padangbai]], Bali to [[Lembar]], Lombok

* Ferry from [[Padangbai]], Bali to [[Lembar]], Lombok

+

* Overland across Lombok via [[Senggigi]]

* Overland across Lombok via [[Senggigi]]

+

* Ferry from [[Labuhan Lombok]] to [[Poto Tano]], Sumbawa

* Ferry from [[Labuhan Lombok]] to [[Poto Tano]], Sumbawa

+

* Overland across Sumbawa via [[Sumbawa Besar]] and [[Bima]]

* Overland across Sumbawa via [[Sumbawa Besar]] and [[Bima]]

+

* Ferry from [[Sape]] to [[Labuanbajo]], Flores

* Ferry from [[Sape]] to [[Labuanbajo]], Flores

+

* Overland across Flores via [[Maumere]] to [[Ende]]

* Overland across Flores via [[Maumere]] to [[Ende]]

+

* Ferry from [[Ende]] to [[Kupang]], West Timor

* Ferry from [[Ende]] to [[Kupang]], West Timor

+

* Overland across Timor to [[Dili]], East Timor

* Overland across Timor to [[Dili]], East Timor

Line 73:

Line 145:

==See==

==See==

+

[[Image:Komodo_Dragon_leaping.jpg|thumb|right|350px|]]

* '''Komodo dragon'''. The Komodo dragon, which lives in [[Rinca]] and [[Flores]] as well as [[Komodo]] islands, is the largest lizard in the world. Tours of are available where dragons can be seen in the wild. Tourists must be accompanied by park rangers who use forked wooden sticks to fend off any approaching dragons, and provide information about the islands and wildlife. The practice of feeding dragons stopped in 1992.

* '''Komodo dragon'''. The Komodo dragon, which lives in [[Rinca]] and [[Flores]] as well as [[Komodo]] islands, is the largest lizard in the world. Tours of are available where dragons can be seen in the wild. Tourists must be accompanied by park rangers who use forked wooden sticks to fend off any approaching dragons, and provide information about the islands and wildlife. The practice of feeding dragons stopped in 1992.

Line 81:

Line 154:

==Do==

==Do==

+

* Pasolas, festivals with ritual battles between warriors, in western [[Sumba]] in February or March.

* Pasolas, festivals with ritual battles between warriors, in western [[Sumba]] in February or March.

+

* Swimming in the Flores Sea between Sumbawa and Flores, en route to or from one of the islands in [[Komodo National Park]].

* Swimming in the Flores Sea between Sumbawa and Flores, en route to or from one of the islands in [[Komodo National Park]].

==Eat==

==Eat==

+

+

With a drier climate, there is less rice and more sago, corn, cassava, and taro compared to central and western Indonesia. Fish is popular including '''sepat''', which is shredded fish in coconut and young-mango sauce.

==Drink==

==Drink==

Line 92:

Line 169:

==Stay safe==

==Stay safe==

−

'''Komodo Dragons''', at up to 3 m (10 ft) in length, are more than capable of killing a man with ease, although human predation isn't very common. The main problem is the dragon's diseased-filled bite from the rampant bacteria residing in their mouths. The dragon usually bites a larger animal and then waits for the infection to kill it. So, despite the fact that being actually eaten is unlikely, the bite itself can be deadly. Keep at a considerable distance and never enter dragon territory alone. If you use basic common sense you should have a wonderful time viewing these magnificent animals. The absence of crocodiles on Komodo Island (due in part to a lack of suitable habitat) leave the Komodo Dragons with no natural predators.

+

'''Komodo Dragons''', at up to 3 m (10 ft) in length, are more than capable of killing a human with ease, although human predation is rare. Zoologists formerly believed that the main problem was the dragon's diseased-filled bite from the rampant bacteria residing in their mouth. More recently theories have been put forward that the Komodo Dragon is actually venomous, and that the biggest problem when bitten is shock and massive blood loss due to the ferocity of the bite. Whichever, getting bitten is not a good thing.

+

+

The dragon usually bites a larger animal and then waits for the infection to kill it. So, despite the fact that being actually eaten is unlikely, the bite itself can be deadly. Keep at a considerable distance and never enter dragon territory alone. If you use basic common sense you should have a wonderful time viewing these magnificent animals. The absence of crocodiles on Komodo Island (due in part to a lack of suitable habitat) leave the Komodo Dragons with no natural predators.

−

'''Saltwater crocodiles''' (Crocodylus porosus) also reside in most of this area, however they are not found on Komodo. The saltwater crocodile is the largest of all living crocodilians and the average size for an adult male is 5.2 m (17 ft) (although the largest saltwater crocodile on record was 8.8 m (29 ft) in length, from northern Queensland). They are known throughout their range as man-eaters and account for many human deaths every year. This can all be avoided by using basic common sense. Never swim in the ocean near a river mouth, in swamps or in large rivers. Never clean fish near the water or frequent the same spot at a river over a prolonged period of time, saltwater crocodiles are known to memorize a potential prey item's patterns for days or weeks at a time before attacking.

+

'''Saltwater crocodiles''' (Crocodylus porosus) also reside in most of this area, however they are not found on Komodo. The saltwater crocodile is the largest of all living crocodilians and the average size for an adult male is 5.2 m (17 ft) (although the largest saltwater crocodile on record was 8.8 m (29 ft) in length, from northern Queensland). They are known throughout their range as man-eaters and account for many human deaths every year. This can all be avoided by using basic common sense. Never swim in the ocean near a river mouth, in swamps or in large rivers. Never clean fish near the water or frequent the same spot at a river over a prolonged period of time, saltwater crocodiles are known to memorise a potential prey item's patterns for days or weeks at a time before attacking.

Nusa Tenggara is one of the least developed and least visited parts of Indonesia. While the islands of Lombok and Sumbawa have a majority of Muslim inhabitants, the vast majority (90%) of the rest is Christian, with a strong Hindu presence on Bali and a good number of remnant aspects of animist belief. Nusa Tenggara has been largely spared the religious conflicts of nearby Sulawesi and Maluku.

Bahasa Indonesia is spoken throughout the region, along with a host of regional languages. English is understood in some of the larger towns and cities, in particular those with significant tourist infrastructure. Outside of those places, do not expect English to be either spoken or understood.

The main airports, with frequent flights from Java and Denpasar (Bali), are Lombok, Maumere (Flores) and Kupang (West Timor). A few flights a week also go from Denpasar, Bali to both Waingapu, Sumba (eastern part of the island) and Waikabubak (western part, near where the Pasolas are held annually).

The only direct international connection from anywhere outside Indonesia directly to the islands is on SilkAir from Singapore 3 times a week to Lombok's International Airport, (Bandara Internasional Lombok), (BIL), (IATA: LOP, ICAO: WADL) in central southern Lombok near the city of Praya.

There are frequent ferry services from Bali to Lombok. Connections between Nusa Tenggara and Indonesia's other islands, though, are limited to the occasional PELNI ferry sailing between Makassar (South Sulawesi) to Flores and, if you really want to get away from it all, from various ports in Papua via Tual and Saumlaki, Maluku to Kalabahi, Alor and onward to Flores.

Komodo dragon. The Komodo dragon, which lives in Rinca and Flores as well as Komodo islands, is the largest lizard in the world. Tours of are available where dragons can be seen in the wild. Tourists must be accompanied by park rangers who use forked wooden sticks to fend off any approaching dragons, and provide information about the islands and wildlife. The practice of feeding dragons stopped in 1992.

With a drier climate, there is less rice and more sago, corn, cassava, and taro compared to central and western Indonesia. Fish is popular including sepat, which is shredded fish in coconut and young-mango sauce.

Komodo Dragons, at up to 3 m (10 ft) in length, are more than capable of killing a human with ease, although human predation is rare. Zoologists formerly believed that the main problem was the dragon's diseased-filled bite from the rampant bacteria residing in their mouth. More recently theories have been put forward that the Komodo Dragon is actually venomous, and that the biggest problem when bitten is shock and massive blood loss due to the ferocity of the bite. Whichever, getting bitten is not a good thing.

The dragon usually bites a larger animal and then waits for the infection to kill it. So, despite the fact that being actually eaten is unlikely, the bite itself can be deadly. Keep at a considerable distance and never enter dragon territory alone. If you use basic common sense you should have a wonderful time viewing these magnificent animals. The absence of crocodiles on Komodo Island (due in part to a lack of suitable habitat) leave the Komodo Dragons with no natural predators.

Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) also reside in most of this area, however they are not found on Komodo. The saltwater crocodile is the largest of all living crocodilians and the average size for an adult male is 5.2 m (17 ft) (although the largest saltwater crocodile on record was 8.8 m (29 ft) in length, from northern Queensland). They are known throughout their range as man-eaters and account for many human deaths every year. This can all be avoided by using basic common sense. Never swim in the ocean near a river mouth, in swamps or in large rivers. Never clean fish near the water or frequent the same spot at a river over a prolonged period of time, saltwater crocodiles are known to memorise a potential prey item's patterns for days or weeks at a time before attacking.